Mandeville Indoor Sports Arena, Johannesburg – February 11, 2025
South Africa’s U23 wheelchair basketball team, the Sasol AmaWheelies, continued their dominant run at the IWBF Africa U23 Men’s Championship, securing top spot in the pool stages with an emphatic 89-21 victory over Kenya. This result ensures their place in the semi-finals, where they will face Kenya once again for a spot in the gold medal match.
The tournament, hosted at the Mandeville Indoor Sports Arena in Johannesburg, will see Libya and Egypt battle it out in the other semi-final, with the winners advancing to Wednesday’s championship game. The ultimate prize—a berth at the IWBF U23 World Championships in Brazil later this year—adds further intensity to the competition.
A Commanding Display Against Kenya
Facing Kenya in their final pool-stage match, South Africa wasted no time in asserting their dominance. A blistering first-quarter start saw the AmaWheelies rack up 25 points before Kenya could manage their first basket, which only arrived after eight minutes of play. By the end of the opening quarter, South Africa had built a commanding 29-3 lead.
The second period saw the South African defense at its most unforgiving, shutting out Kenya completely while adding another 20 points to their tally. With a halftime score of 49-3, the outcome was already beyond doubt.
Kenya found some attacking rhythm in the third quarter, but South Africa maintained full control, outscoring their opponents 18-4. The final period was more balanced, with Kenya registering 14 points—more than their total across the first three quarters—but South Africa still finished the period on top, winning it 22-14 to seal the 89-21 triumph.
Semi-Final Rematch Awaits
With the tournament structure dictating that the top-ranked team faces the fourth-placed side in the semi-finals, South Africa and Kenya will meet again later today at 13:00. The AmaWheelies, heavy favorites based on their pool-stage performance, will look to replicate their earlier success and secure their place in the final.
Although Kenya will aim to learn from their previous encounter, South Africa’s depth, defensive discipline, and offensive efficiency make them a formidable opponent. The team has shown throughout the competition that they can dictate the pace of the game and break down even the most stubborn defenses.
Eyes on the Prize
As the tournament nears its climax, the AmaWheelies find themselves within touching distance of their ultimate goal. With back-to-back wins over Egypt and Libya earlier in the competition, South Africa has already demonstrated its ability to overcome both potential final opponents. However, they know that past results mean little when the stakes are at their highest.
The final, scheduled for 17:00 on Wednesday at the Mandeville Indoor Sports Arena, promises to be a thrilling contest. With continental supremacy and a place at the IWBF U23 World Championships on the line, South Africa stands on the brink of a significant achievement. For the AmaWheelies, it’s now one final push to turn their dominance into championship gold.
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For More South African Basketball News:
South Africa Strengthens Title Bid at IWBF Africa U23 Men’s Championship
South Africa’s U23 Wheelchair Basketball Team Powers Past Libya to Secure Second Victory
